Can you share a little about your recent book?
In January, I released a book titled Jade’s Match, about a summer Rio Olympian and a winter PeyongChang Olympian coming together in a fake media romance in a marketing campaign for a cell phone company that turns into a real-life romance. I loved writing this book, because I love the Olympics. Interacting with the publicist for the USA men’s hockey team was a joy, and as the time came close to publish it, my husband and I decided becoming Olympic sponsors was the right thing to do.
Why do you write? Do you have a theme, message, or goal for your books?
My mission statement in writing is always to prayerfully crafts stories as modern day parables to uplift fellow believers and minister to seekers in our fallen world.
How long have you been writing?
I wrote my first book in 1999. I published my first book in 2012. Since then, I’ve published 25 books.
And how long did it take you to get your first major book contract? Or are you published non-traditionally? How did that come about?
I am self published and actually opened a small press as a result of my publishing experience.
In 2011, I submitted the first book in my Jewel Series, Sapphire Ice, to a major publisher. They requested the full manuscript and I sent it off. At the time, it was a secular romance filled with all the motivating factors that fill secular romances – greed, revenge, lust. Once it was out of my hands, I felt an overwhelming conviction that if I could not proudly proclaim what I had written from the pulpit of my church, I had no business writing it.
I rewrote the book and made it a Christian romance. However, I’d never read a Christian romance and the book itself was still very edgy, kind of dark, and my characters very real. Not your typical inspirational. When I got the letter offering to buy the original book, I sent the new copy in and requested that they forward it to their inspirational line.
A few weeks later, I got a hand-written card in the mail from an editor who said she loved my book and knew she would see it on the shelves one day, but it couldn’t have her publisher imprint on it. The book was simply too “risqué” for her readers with some elements that wouldn’t fit well within the restrictions for their line.
My husband and I prayed about it and determined that with the way that I write and the major publisher market at the time, I would likely not get a publishing contract without compromising some part of my story. So, we opened our press, Olivia Kimbrell Press, Inc., and I started self publishing.
How long does it take you to write a book?
I write really fast. I can finish a novella in about two weeks, and a full-length novel in 6-8 weeks – faster if I’m pushing against a deadline.
What’s your writing work schedule like?
I write when my kids are at school. Basically, I write Monday through Friday from 8am to 2pm.
Do you have an interesting writing quirk? If so, what is it?
I tend to go inside my head when I write, so that I can taste, smell, see, hear, what my characters are experiencing. Any kind of noise at all will pull me out of that and keep me from being able to go back. So, I write with earbuds in and classical symphonic orchestra playing to drown out the noise of anything at all going on around me.
I also have to have an alarm set if I want to make it to the schools in time to pick my kids up.
What has been your greatest joy(s) in your writing career?
I am thrilled that God has given me a very defined and clear gift. I know what I am doing is for His glory, and being given stories to tell as modern day parables is very humbling.
What has been your darkest moment(s)?
My darkest moments have come in the form of self-doubt. When I forget God has equipped me, I begin to doubt my human abilities to continue to write stories that will uplift or inspire.
Which of your books is your favorite?
I think my favorite is An Aria for Nick. When I originally wrote it about 20 years ago, my father, an army Airborne Ranger, helped me with the characterization and military duties of Nick, the main character. 15-years-later, as I pulled it out and modernized it, my husband, an army Special Forces soldier, contributed more to his character. So, he’s a compilation of my two favorite men.
Who is your favorite author to read?
I love to read mysteries, and always go back to Agatha Christie. Analyzing her dialogue fascinates me.
What advice can you give aspiring writers that you wished you had gotten, or that you wished you would have listened to?
There is so much to say about advice for authors. Everyone will reply with “write”, I’ll add “write every day, even when you don’t feel like it.” I’ll also say, because I was about a year late getting this started, have a newsletter. That’s worth repeating. Have a newsletter. The algorithms of social media are going to come, go, and flux. Newsletter subscribers want to know what you are saying – they signed up to hear from you. Use that.
How many times in your career have you experienced rejection? How did they shape you?
I submitted books to major publishers twice. Once, about 20 years ago, the reply was, “We want this book. Change this aspect of your main character.” I chose not to. The next time is part of my writing testimony in the question above.
I think one thing that had me writing for years without submitting to publishers is because I didn’t want to face rejection. I’m afraid that with my personality, I would have quit with too much rejection.
Do you have a favorite character or scene in one of your books?
Every time I release a book, it becomes my new favorite. I hope it’s always that way. I really love the character Davis Elliott in Jade’s Match.
For a favorite scene, one of my favorites is the opening scene of Courting Calla. Calla is driving her old beat-up car and it breaks down in the entrance to the parking garage. Right behind her is Ian Jones, the engineer she’s had a crush on since her first week at her job. She is so embarrassed and flustered and he has absolutely no idea who she is.
Where do you get your ideas?
Early one morning, I woke up from a dream and had to start writing it. Six weeks later, I finished my first book, A Melody for James. I thought, “Wow. That was a fluke. I bet that never happens again.”
Almost immediately, I was overwhelmed with ideas. It’s like a floodgate was lifted in my mind. I could barely function for weeks because my mind was so preoccupied with book and plot ideas. Characters were everywhere I saw people, I had ideas.
The ideas still come the same way, but I have learned to filter them, and the noise doesn’t distract me like it used to. At least, most of the time.
What are common mistakes you see aspiring writer’s make?
For self-published authors, there is a lack of professional editing on a major scale. Agents and editors say that out of all of the queries and submissions they receive, only 10-20% of them are even editable. That means, they aren’t written well enough to even get edited for publication.
No matter how good the first try is, it’s not good enough. Authors need to intentionally and purposefully strive to be in that 10%, whether self-publishing or traditional publishing.
Where/How do you recommend writers try to break into the market?
In today’s market, the bigger houses are hard to get into. They have less lines, less books published every year, and have felt the crunch of the indie publishing movement. I would definitely recommend getting an agent who is willing to work with you and help you hone your craft and skill to successfully become a 10% author.
If you’re wanting to break into the indie market, then be willing to spend the money for professional editing and make sure that book would also be counted within the 10% if you had submitted it traditionally.
Publisher: Olivia Kimbrell Press, Inc.
Website: http://www.halleebridgeman.com
Social Media:
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Bio:
With more than half a million book sales, Hallee Bridgeman is a best-selling Christian author who writes action-packed romantic suspense focusing on realistic characters who face real world problems. Her work has been described as everything from refreshing to heart-stopping exciting and edgy. An Army brat turned Floridian, Hallee finally settled in central Kentucky with her family so that she could enjoy the beautiful changing of the seasons.
Hallee is a member of Romance Writers of America (RWA), American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW) and the American Christian Writers (ACW) as well as being a member of Novelists, Inc. (NINC). An accomplished speaker, Hallee has taught and inspired writers around the globe, from Sydney, Australia, to Dallas, Texas, to Portland, Oregon, to Washington, D.C., and all places in between. You can reach Hallee at hallee@halleebridgeman.com
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